Fluffy Competition

Fluffy Competition

	Picture a city like any other in the united states.  Here alleys are thick with fluffy ponies.  Starving, feral, and terrified of the loud and lethal world around them.  Fights between herds, exterminators, and common fluffy accidents couldn't quell the swelling size of the fluffy pony population.  Then an affiliated company of Mettal, Inc. entered the bio toy industry.  Just two months passed before a breeding population of their toy was on the street.  At first people didn't notice or care for this new invasive species, fluffies were still the major concern of global wildlife organizations.  Fluffies, however, took notice immediately and were terrified.  In our US city a mother and foals nurse nervously behind a trash can.  The foals are terrified but kept calm by milk.  Their mother is not so consolable and she trembles in the cold night straining her senses to find her hunter.  But, more on them later.

	Slightly larger than an average fluffy the main difference is how the fluffy physiology was completely rearranged by Mettal scientists.  In an effort to avoid copyright cases Mettal chose another creature from FIM to fluffify.  The pieces were all in place for modification in existing fluffy pony samples; feline, avian, and the speech centers.  Through great effort and many failures the samples were completed.  They were designed to "compete" with the fluffy pony market directly and cut into the market however they could.  And, to this end many changes were made to improve Mettal's bio-toy sales over ponies.

	Aesthetics aside they are better than fluffies in nearly every area.  The ability to harm humans was a bold step, but nearly every pet is also able to if they are threatened.  It is part of the appeal of many animals as they are companions not just pets who require care in all their actions.  Physically the body replaces marshmallowy hooves with plush feline appendages, and the fluff is compact and short allowing more movement and play.  The tail is lengthened and strangely lion-esque with an adorable poof ball on the end.  The head is akin to an eagle but more parrot than it should be, a throwback of their vocal mimicry.  Muscles were strengthened on the wings and bones were made light but tough and flexible.  With feathers and working wings the flight was a strong selling point early on.  The Mettal bio-toy's were also less social and bred less often fixing many overpopulation concerns with lawmakers and environmentalists.  With the bird head and vocal chords the new fluffies were also able to speak better.  Their large brains were also packed with more instinct and survival techniques to boost lifespan.  And so, with far less fanfare than the pony release Mettal Inc. dropped their bio-toy on the market, the fluffy griffon.

	Initial sales were extremely strong at nearly $100 a griffon and remained strong for nearly a whole quarter.  But, soon the fluffy owners grew bored of these new companions and returned to ponies.   With a breeding population in public hands the price dropped to a rough average of $50.  The project was barely able to recoup 70% of it's investment over the years, but compared to Hasbio's miserable returns the project was considered a success by Mettal execs.  Despite their market success the griffon was not without many problems.

	In an effort to compete with Hasbio fluffy ponies the griffons are directly related to fluffies with 99% of their DNA.  Initially designed to relate with and be friendly to fluffies.  This backfired horribly.  The new species like alicorns drew primal terror of grotesque mutation and deformity in fluffies.  These new creatures challenged the standard view of "fluffy" and were universally called munstah's, scawy, and ugwy by all fluffies, save those who were properly prepared for their new friends.  A fluffy is a kind, loving, and totally harmless horse-like creature.  Fluffy Griffons however, were nothing like their equine cousins.  More solitary, omnivores (thanks to eagle DNA roughly spliced in), and generally catlike in manner made them rough playmates on the rare occasion they chose to interact with ponies.  Their stronger bodies, claws, talons, and fairly sharp beak made them competent killers of fluffies.  The catlike mind and higher intelligence also drove many to simply fly away after the were set in the back yard to play.  Wing clipping had to be performed to ground the griffons, which they hate viscerally.

	Unknown to scientists at Mettal the griffon was also more violent.  Not naturally barbaric, but bred and designed to be cat/eagle like.  Many fluffy pony owners got nasty scratches when they tried to tickle or give surprise hugs to their griffons, fluffies who gave unwanted hugs were not so lucky.  A griffons solidarity kept it from whining or crying while owners were away, but also made them fickle to handle.  One may love petting, while another could hate being held, personality came into play far more often and clearer than fluffy ponies.  The mind of a griffon is also more advanced, but still only on a 4-5 year old's intelligence.  Their advance comes from survival instinct.  They viscerally hate water, excessive heat/cold, and pain.  With the strength of a weak cat they can also harm their owners who try to force these various actions on them.  Abusers are not deterred but also have a harder time catching and keeping griffons imprisoned.

	Despite the wide variety of problems many owners still call a fluffy griffon their friend.  Fluffies, who are properly taught, can partake in favorite fluffy games such as blocks, ball, tag, and hide n' seek.  (though the usually lose)  And, griffons can learn to be friends with fluffies; hugging, sleeping in a pile, and the giddy joy that is fluffy pony.  But, wild griffons who fled abuse or incompetent owners have become quite adept in their new environment.  They can't fly fast, can't take on anything over cat sized, and are still stupid.  But, they aren't nearly as naive or needy.

	But, I digress, now we return to the start of our story.  A mother fluffy and her foals all tremble in the cold dark.  In the open and without a safe burrow, box, house, or even the sense to hide they wait for the sun.  Only a trashcan stands between them and certain doom.  Then without warning a screech is heard as a griffon descends on the mare.  Talons and claws dig into the body.  She squeals in terror, "NUUU! BEBBEHS! WUN! WUN WAY! NUU HUWT BEBBEHS MEANIE!"  With all her courage she faces the griffon who is relatively sized, but far out classes her weak limbs.  Starved and mangy the mare can only kick off the griffon before it returns to mount her back.  No sexual conquest for the griffon however. (Though this isn't unheard of) As he mercilessly tears into her neck with his beak.  He body paralyzed she watches in horror as her foals waddle over to her.

	The foals bravely return to hug their mother back to health, "Mummah, nee huggies?" One even threatens the griffon puffing his cheeks and tapping the ground in a show of force, "Nuu meanie! Nuu huwties mummah!"  He chuckles as he licks his beak, "Wittol fwuffies, ou' awe suu tasty..."  His beak clicks as he forms the words.  The foals move to speak once more, but are snapped up by the jaws of the griffon.  One by one he consumes the screaming shitting bodies.  He's careful to crush them first and empty the guts before he swallows.  With her foals gone the mare screams as tears stain the pavement.  Then the griffon turns to his catch, "Fwuffy, be qwiet! Qwiet ow ouchies!"

	But it's too late, two new griffons swoop down and hiss at their fellow.  The three quarrel shouting insults and threats.  "Ou' weave! Tis griffin nummies! Nuu dummy nummies!" "Ou' dummy! We take nummies frum weak griffin!" The first griffon, out numbered and already full flees after a small fight, the mare is hysterical as her body is torn to shreds.  As they flee the corpse several more young and small griffons descend like vultures to consume the organs and remaining meat.  Underneath a dumpster nearby a sobbing stallion watches the mare get torn apart.  A small banana peel sits next to his face and urine and feces stain his backside.  He stifles his sobs of horror and sorrow in an attempt to prevent the monsters before him from finding him, but like his unlucky wife the husband meets a similar fate.  Such is life for fluffy ponies and fluffy griffons.